Tempo not high enough - Johnson

DEFEAT against Walsall stung Athletic’s players and management — and a high-tempo return to form is fully expected on Saturday.

Johnson insisted there are “no excuses” for not putting in an improved performance at London Road after a week free of matches.

“We were all low on Monday,” the manager admitted. “I was disappointed and the lads were as well.

“It was the lack of tempo that was disappointing. It was short of what it had been previously.

“For me, it seemed we didn’t have the mental strength to produce that sort of tempo after the seven intensive days that had gone before. But there are no excuses like that on Saturday.

“The players have looked very good in training, but it is a totally different pressure playing against your mates compared to the pressure of performing in front of a crowd who are baying at you.”